EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION.

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 October 1908, Page 4

EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION.

—— ■ ANNUAL MEETING. [PEH PKE33 ASSOCIATION.j WELLINGTON, Oct 7. The sixth annual meeting of the New Zealand Employers federation opesed to-day. Air H. Innis, President of the Federation, occupied the chair. The report opened with an expression of pleasure by the general executive, at being able to say that the combination and organisation of the employers, represented by the Federation, was to-day the largest and most powerful the dominion had ever seen. On a low estimate it represented an individual membership of over 6000 linns and persons. in a criticism on the legislation tiro report stated that tile amendment of tire Shops and Oiliccs Act, in providing for a poll of tlm electors to determine the day of the weekly half holiday was a particularly dangerous provision, and if put into operation it would probably result in ail shops in the four centres being compelled to close on the Saturday afternoon, while shops in the immediate and surrounding districts would be allowed to remain open. Such a state of things would prove detrimental to many city retailers, without conferring any substantial benefit upon any considerable portion of the community. The strongest possible - representations had been made to the Government protesting against such important legislation measures being pushed through Parliament during the dying hours of the session. Iteprosentations had also been made to the Minister for Labor asking for a repeal of the clauses of Hie Act providing for a poll of the .electors on the question of the weekly half-holiday. The representations so far made had been without effect, but it was hoped that the strongest measures it was proposed to take would be more successful. The report directs altenlion to the extremely Socialistic nature of the discussions that took place, and the proposals adopted at the Trades and Labor Conference in Wellington this year, especially the principle of .“limiting the output’’ n commended by several speakers. Tim idea is prevalent amongst unionists that if was (heir duly in ild ?!• i jiuu'o work Ilian (hey wei'e compelled to do, was so apparent in c-onrirotioii with many of our industries that it had become incumbent upon employers, whenever such was noticeable, to take strong measures to combat (lie “ca. canny” policy ;mw advocated by the labor leaders. The report commented upon the decision of _ the Special Conciliation Board given iii (be Auckland tramways dispute, and said (lint (lie lesson* (o be learned from it was (hat employers should insist when their interests "•do at slake, (hat the proper le r, al course should be followed. Congnitnlately letters were read from”(be Building Employers Federation .''Oiilh Africa, and the Employers federation of Queensland and New .Smilli Wales, and also from (1 )C Chamber of Mines for West Australia. Ibo election of officers resulted as follows: — -1 ’resident —Mr W. C. Foster (Wellington Export Coy.). VicePresident-] ton C ,M. Luke, ML C J roasnrer—Mr 11. A. Scott (Wairarapa Farmers Association). Trustee—w I!cn " o(t (President of (ho Wellington Builders Association) Auditor Mr W. C. Stephens. Parliamentary Ci an mi I tee—Mess rs James Allen, J. Godber, ,T. Bcvoriihm, Tf Seaton, C. M. Banks, G. TI ‘ Clnnman, and F. Malty. The following resolutions were earned ;

'Owing (o (he aggressive attitude of ho Labor Parly (his meeting j H of 10 "pinion I hat fhe lime has arrived or federal mg all individual trades so Unit in (1„. event of a strike (akiim (dace it might he dealt with by Ihe general body i„ place of by (lie individual as lias been tho custom in the past.” J hat it be a recommendation to employers in all industries where a. number of awards operate the provismns contained in clause 24 of (ho Concilia ion and Arbitration Act bo ! • on "«l v «»higo of with a view to gotn,g unanimity of awards in related